Supreme Court directs determination on Local Government Bill to Speaker

Nov 2, 2010 11:33:09 AM - itnnews.lk

The Supreme Court has directed its determination to the Speaker on the constitutionality of the Local Government Polls (Amendment) Bill presented to Parliament.

The Supreme Court today completed its examination on the constitutionality of the Bill. The three judge bench headed by Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranaiake ordered that if there are any written submissions on the Bill, they should be presented before next Monday. Several parties, including the JVP, the TNA and the Centre for Policy Alternatives had submitted a petition challenging the Bill.

Several parties, including Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Prof. Mendis Rohanadeera and the Jathika Nidahas Peramua had filed petitions in favour of the Bill. These petitions had mentioned that the proposed Bill further strengthens people’s representation and consolidates democracy. They had requested the Supreme Court to rule that the Bill was in conformity to the Constitution. Spreme Court had given permission to the National Organiser of the National Elections Examinations Centre Attorney Rasanga Harischandra to file objections. Attorney Rasanga Harischandra through Attorney Priyantha Jayawardena told Courts that the new Bill had positive trends including the elimination of the preference struggle, election of a Local Government member to a stipulated electoral division, minimize wastage and the declaration of assets and liabilities within three months after handing over the nominations.